Young Irelander's Rebellion

• Repeal Association ended in 1848 - had raised hopes but achieved little
• Had inspired a new generation of Nationalists
• 'Young Ireland' movement associated with the Nation newspaper, est 1842 to publicise issues of repeal
• Wider aims than O'Connell - more than Catholic rights and repeal. Not about religion, it's about the Irish nation which has no connection with religion
• Demanded complete separation from Britain using political persuasion and force if necessary
• Romantic view of Nationalism - inspired by 1798 rebellion - potential for personal sacrifice (saw rebellion as something it wasn't)
• Older generation believed they were too naive - ignored religious dynamic and GB military capacity

• Potato famine - starvation, lack of British support, 1848 = worst year of famine - leads to discontent. Blame British for worsening of famine
• Daniel O'Connell's legacy - mythical figure, fulfilling his dream/destiny. He founded the repeal association. Symbol of the failure of legal protest, move to violence
• French Revolution - Spurred ideas of rebellion, source of inspiration. Most importantly, it was successful so they thought they could follow and succeed too
• Act of Union - discontent with no Catholic emancipation
• Irish Identity - Under threat, fighting to keep the Irish identity. British trying to control Irish ways, to 'colonise' Ireland

Causes:

• Inspired by wave of revolutions across Europe, including French and American

Events:

• Only ended up with around 100 armed men
• Police expected massive force and so prepared accordingly
• Stand-off in a garden
• Everyone started fighting, but only two men died in total (Irish)
• Re-named 'the Battle of Widow McCormack's Cabbage Patch'

Consequences:

• Became somthing to mock
• Impact of the Young Irelander's movement - New kind of Irish Nationalism, needed own identity
• Britain declare Marshall Law, increased discontent